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WPCNR MILESTONES. From Carl Albanese. August 22, 2011:

 

On May 25, 2011 Captain Thomas B. Brenner 87, of Winterville, North Carolina, died peacefully at home in the arms of his daughter Lisa; Captain Brenner had been battling an illness for several months and was looking forward to attending his 65^th Naval Academy reunion in June before he died unexpectedly.

 

 

Captain Brenner was preceded by death by his wife Jean Brenner in 2006 and his daughter Deborah Brenner in 1998. He is survived by his loving daughter Lisa Brenner, son-in-law Bruce Wilhelmsen, granddaughter Anna Wilhelmsen and grandson Jon Wilhelmsen, nieces Susan Bailey, Lisa Rice, Julie Gagne, dear family friend Clara Black.

 

Memorial services were held on May 30th at the home of his daughter Lisa Brenner and son in-law Bruce Wilheimsen. Internment will be held at the United States Naval Academy, Columbarium on August 29, 2011, where he will be laid next to his wife Jean, on what would have been their 62^nd wedding anniversary.

 

 

The family requests contributions may be sent to Spay Today Inc. www.spaytoday.net respectively.

(Family obituary excerpt)

 

Captain Brenner born on April 20,1924 in Kalamazoo Michigan where he grew up attended Kalamazoo Central High. In 1947 he graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Along with distinguished classmates 39th U.S. President Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter, Vietnam POW Vice Presidential candidate Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, and Navy’s 1944 Heisman Trophy winner Donald Whitmire Rear Admiral Vietnam Veteran.

 

 

Before his retirement in 1975 U.S. Vietnam Veteran Naval Captain Brenner served our country honorably during the Vietnam Campaign 1969 – 1970 commanding the USS White Plains AFS-4. West Pacific – South China Sea Vietnam. Commissioning Captain of the USS White Plains 1967-1970. Served as Deputy Director for Intelligence, Commander-in-Chief Pacific, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Settled in Virgina Beach. VA where his family resided for 21 years.

 

History USS White Plains AFS-4 Ship

 

Under the Command and leadership The USS White Plains AFS-4, a Mars class combat stores ship, was commissioned on 23 November 1968. USS White Plains served her country for 26 years, 4 months and 25 days, until decommissioned on 17 April 1995. USS White Plains was built in San Diego by National Steel and Shipbuilding. After fit out and shake down training, she began a series of Western Pacific deployments that made up the bulk of her career.

 

Early deployments were bound for South China Sea Vietnam waters, later deployments supported U.S. Naval forces in the Persian Gulf. Surviving fires and typhoons, USS White Plains, “The Orient Express”, delivered the goods until her decommissioning in April 1995. The hulk of the USS White Plains was sunk as part of a multi-national fleet exercise off of Hawaii in 2002. In late 1980’s the USS White Plains was one of the very first U.S. Navy ships to have woman sailors aboard. By 1991 the ship had a compliment of female officers and senior and junior enlisted woman serving.

  

USS White Plains AFS-4 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Class: Mars-class combat stores ship

Named for: White Plains – The Battle Of White Plains NY 1776

Complement: 42 Officers and 445 Enlisted

Displacement: 17500 tons

Length: 581 feet

Beam: 79 feet

Flank Speed: 21 knots

Final Disposition: Sunk as target 2002

 

History of the Battle of White Plains – Naming of USS White Plains AFS-4.

 

The City of White Plains located in Westchester County New York is vibrantly rich in American revolutionary history playing a valuable role in the birth of our nation we have come to know as America, the United States. Our Founding Father, General George Washington First President of these United States commanded the Continental Army American Revolutionary War. (Commander-in-Chief) The renowned “Battle of White Plains” fought on October 28, 1776 around the high grounds of Chatterton Hill pursed by Red-Coat General William Howe marched his army of British Red-Coats into Westchester County, hoping to cut off Washington’s escape route.

 

On October 23, Washington established military operations at the Elijah Miller House, with a stay at the historical preserved Purdy House in White Plains NY. Developing his fortifications of troops on the high banks and rough terrain rising above the swamps of the Bronx River above Chatterton Hill. Washington unfortunately defeated forced to retreat further north eventually crossing the Hudson River into New Jersey escaping General Howe and the British. The Battle of White Plains remains today as one of the corner stones of American Revolutionary History in the birth of our new nation America.

(wikipedia research)

 

In honor and memory of the Battle of White Plains 1776 the USS White Plains AFS-4 was named after General George Washington’s famous revolutionary battle in the Village of White Plains. 

 

In Memory Shipmates

 

Capt Brenner was the epitome of the classic sea captain.  He looked the part (ruggedly handsome), spoke with authority, was wise in his judgment, and even-handed in dealing with subordinates. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. I remember a small plaque he had in his in port cabin inscribed with a quote by a Greek philosopher “A collision at sea can ruin your whole day.”  Indeed.

 

It was a great pleasure to have served with Capt Brenner on the commissioning crew.

Bruce Hopkins, Cdr, Supply Corps, USN Ret. USS AFS-4

 

I remember him as an officer that you could be proud to serve with.  He brought calmness to the deck whenever he appeared.  Later I came to know of his good sense of humor from emails he sent to many of the crew.  He will be missed.  I’m sure the golden gates were opened wide for a man such as he. And he was from Michigan!

Gary Hintz, Michigan USN Ret. BM3, USS AFS-4 1967-68

 

One of my memories of Capt. Brenner is that when the White Plaines was anchored out in San Diego Harbor, He would give us lowly seaman a ride back to the ship in his gig.

Al Ballok USN Ret. USS AFS-4

 

I can say that I served with pride under Captain Brenner.  I was assigned to the White Plains while it was still in San Diego under going final outfitting.  I was with the ship when she went through sea trials, commissioning, and her first tour to West Pac and Viet Nam.  I do not believe I could have had the fortune of serving under a better Captain than Captain Brenner.  He commanded respect from his men not through the orders he gave but through the presence and dignity he brought through his position of leadership.  I was a fortunate sailor to have had him as Captain of my ship.

Joseph Fleming Plank Owner USN Ret. USS-AFS-4

 

In honor, respect and memory we pay tribute to U.S. Naval Captain Thomas B. Brenner, first commander of the USS White Plains AFS-4 Vietnam Veteran. I deeply thank Captain Brenner for serving our nation. Placing himself in harms way, defending and protecting our American democracy across the blue-waters of the South China Sea and the Pacific. I thank the many sailors who also served under the command and leadership of Captain Brenner.

 

It is with great honor we pay our respects and offer our deepest condolences to the Brenner family, relatives and friends in this time of sorrow and loss.  Many prayers thoughts and love for the Brenner family. Captain Thomas B. Brenner will forever be honored and remembered as an American Veteran who served his country proudly.

 

 

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From www.wppublicsafety.com . August 22, 2011:

On 8/3/11, the White Plains Police Department arrested four (4) individuals and charged them with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd, Auto Stripping 3rd, Conspiracy 5th and Possession of Burglars Tools.

Oscar A. Rizik (DOB 11/6/89) Bronx, NY
Jose M. Bermudez (DOB 9/17/87) Bronx, NY
Edwin D. Nunez (DOB 10/15/89) Bronx, NY
Ramon A. Abreu (DOB 10/8/90) Wallkill, NY

The four individuals were observed removing lug nuts, four tires and rims from a 2007 Dodge Charger, which was parked in a residential parking structure. At the time of their arrest, they were operating a tan colored 2004 Jeep Liberty. Located inside the suspects vehicle were: car jack, lug nut wrench, white gloves and a cinder block. Nunez and Abreu have no criminal history, while Rizik and Bermudez have limited criminal histories for unrelated offenses.